Lake Forest, Lake Bluff IL
The year was 1991. The Hubble telescope launched into space. The Soviet Union was on the precipice of collapsing. A gallon of regular gasoline cost $1.14. And Dr. Douglas B. Campbell, D.D.S., opened the doors of a new dental practice in the Lake Forest community called Lake Forest Smiles. This year, Lake Forest Smiles celebrates 30 wonderful years of providing exceptional dental care to the community. We want to honor the practice by reflecting on our humble beginnings.
After graduating from dental school in 1982, Dr. Campbell accumulated eight years of experience in the field as an associate dentist under Dr. Bob Nelson. Then, in the summer of 1991, the two agreed to split their practice—citing a lack of space due to the expansion of the business.
Lake Forest Smiles came from humble beginnings, as Campbell recalls: “In June of 1991, I had four team members.” Dr. John Hagopian came on board as an associate dentist from 1993 to 1997. Then, in January of 1999, Dr. David Schmidt joined the team, eventually becoming part-owner of the practice in 2001.
“The practice grew, we remodeled, and later added 600 square feet when it became available,” Campbell said.
At one point, Lake Forest Smiles had as many as 22 employees working in two shifts. Today, even after the hardships and challenges of COVID-19, there are 14 team members on staff. During the pandemic, when services were limited, Lake Forest Smiles remained open for emergencies only for 10 weeks, with hygienists pitching in as chairside assistants.
“COVID did not take us down,” Campbell said. “We cleaned and purged the entire office, worked very hard to procure PPE, and prepare the office for when the state of Illinois allowed us to reopen.”
The practice has come a long way since those humble beginnings in 1991. Lake Forest Smiles expanded in 2005, redecorated in 2006, and has remodeled different areas of the practice twice since then.
Meanwhile, Dr. Campbell and Dr. Schmidt remain at the forefront of dental science, adding some of the latest technological advances, such as:
- 3-dimensional CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)
- Orofacial myology and Buteyko breathing
- Airway-focused orthodontics
- Invisalign
- Treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder (aka TMJ or TMD)
- Same-day crowns
- Digital imaging
And, through the years, Lake Forest Smiles has strived to be an integral part of the communities of both Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. The practice participates in the Lake Forest Day parade each year. Plus, hygienists from the practice hold educational events at schools about the importance of proper dental care, and Lake Forest Smiles offers free oral cancer screenings one month out of every year.
“We are fortunate to have many wonderful patients that have trusted us with their dental care for many years,” Campbell said, adding, “We are a patient-driven office that strives to provide exceptional dentistry, in a warm, caring environment, with our extensive technology and friendly demeanor. We love our jobs and appreciate all our friends and patients.”
And Lake Forest Smiles continues to grow! As of July 5, Dr. Kate Steingreaber has joined the team as an associate dentist. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa. She has advanced training focused on dental implants, esthetics and dental photography, and treating medically compromised patients. Dr. Steingreaber is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Chicago Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She resides in Chicago and loves exploring both the city and the North Shore with family and friends. She enjoys trying new restaurants and recipes, attending comedy shows and concerts, and cheering on the Hawkeyes in her free time. We are thrilled to welcome her to Lake Forest Smiles!
The past 30 years have been an honor to serve the Lake Forest community. “The friendly people, the small-town feel, the trees, parks and lakefront, the excellent libraries, the golf courses, Elawa Farm, local shops and restaurants, and all our wonderful patients,” are some of Dr. Campbell’s favorite parts about living in Lake Forest.
We look forward to serving the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire in Illinois for years to come. If you’re ever in need of dental care or you’re seeking a new dental office to serve you and your family, we hope you will consider Lake Forest Smiles. Contact our office by calling (847) 234-4800 to schedule your consultation today.